Kinstellar named Law Firm of the Year in Central Europe at The Lawyer European Awards ceremony
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Insights May 2023

Council of Europe Summit creates the International Register of Damage Caused by the Russian Aggression against Ukraine

The Council of Europe announced the establishment of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine through an Enlarged Partial Agreement dated 12 May 2023. The Register is signed by 43 member states of the Council of Europe and representatives of the European Union, the USA, Canada, and Japan. Click on one of the images below or click on the following links to read in English or in Ukrainian. Download in English: Download in Ukrainian:

Insights May 2023

Hungarian parliament adopts new Whistleblowing Act

The Hungarian parliament has adopted a new law implementing the EU directive on the mandatory protection of (even anonymous) whistleblowers, which in many respects imposes stricter rules on companies and puts whistleblowers in a more favourable position. The new law, which repeals the previous rules on complaints and whistleblowing, poses significant challenges to most of the companies concerned; however, it is also in the interest of the companies to have an efficient whistleblowing system, as management may obtain information from whistleblowers and correct underlying problems that could result in serious sanctions for the company if detected by authorities, or the correction could serve to increase operational efficiency. Below

Insights May 2023

Reform of the “judicial map” of the Slovak Republic

From 1 June 2023, the so-called reform of the “judicial map” of Slovakia enters into force, which according to its proponents should bring faster and better decision-making by the courts and ensure better working conditions for judges. The basic premise of the reform is the specialisation of judges and courts under five main agendas—family, civil, criminal, commercial, and administrative justice. The reform is intended to increase the efficiency of the administration of justice and will lead to several changes: the dissolution of several existing courts, the creation of new courts, and the transfer of agendas between individual courts. The reform of the “judicial map” consists of two laws: (i) Act no. 150/2022 Coll.

Deals May 2023

Kinstellar advises Roier crowdfunding platform on a new investment

Kinstellar has successfully advised the founders of the Czech crowdfunding platform Roier on a new, multi-million Czech crown investment.  Roier brings together investors and companies seeking financing for their real estate projects. It enables investment in corporate loans secured by real estate property and has financed projects totalling approximately CZK 275 million in two years of market presence. The Kinstellar team was led by Kamil Blažek (Partner) and Martina Březinová (Counsel). Other team members included Michal Kníž (Managing Associate) and Jakub Šťastný (Senior Associate). For more information, please contact Martina Březinová at martina.brezi

Deals May 2023

Kinstellar advises Rheinmetall on the cooperation agreement with Ukraine’s state-owned defence industry concern, Ukroboronprom

Kinstellar is proud to have advised Rheinmetall on the signing of a cooperation agreement with Ukraine’s state-owned defence industry concern, Ukroboronprom.  The two major defence manufacturers intend to create joint capabilities domiciled in Ukraine through setting up a joint venture, which is expected to be operational from mid-July 2023. Starting with the maintenance of military vehicles, the parties plan to move to the transfer of technology, joint production of selected Rheinmetall products in Ukraine, to potentially joint development of military systems, including for subsequent export from Ukraine. The entrance of Rheinmetall marks a new exciting chapter in the development of Ukraine’s defence industries

Deals May 2023

Kinstellar together with Winston & Strawn advise Tempo Software on the agreement to acquire Amovos

Kinstellar has recently advised Tempo Software, a leading provider of portfolio management solutions for product development organizations, on the acquisition of Amovos, which operates the Old Street Solutions brand. Old Street Solutions is an Atlassian Marketplace Partner simplifying Jira and Confluence with their popular Custom Charts for Jira and Custom Charts for Confluence apps. The acquisition will expand Tempo’s Atlassian-based product suite providing users with easy-to-use, customizable data visualizations of Jira data, so teams can focus on getting work done quickly, not struggling with complicated corporate reporting tools.  Mark Lorion, CEO at Tempo Software, said: We’re thrilled to welcome Old

Insights May 2023

Uzbekistan introduces amendments to banks’ capitalisation requirements and liberalises access to their ownership by non-residents

On 19 April 2023, the President of Uzbekistan signed law No. ЗРУ-831, which came into force on 20 April 2023 and introduced changes to the law “[o]n banks and banking activities” (the “Amended Banking Law”).  Law on Banking The Amended Banking Law (i) increases the minimum charter capital requirement for banks and (ii) lifts certain restrictions on ownership of bank shares by non-residents of Uzbekistan. Increased charter capital requirements The Amended Banking Law increases the requirements for the minimum amount of charter capital of banks in Uzbekistan from UZS 100 billion to UZS 500 billion (from approximately USD 8,780,000 to USD 43,898,000 as of 1 May 2023) within the following timeline: 

Insights May 2023

Five years of GDPR: An overview of GDPR implementation in Romania

As May 2023 marks the fifth anniversary of the implementation of GDPR[1], we have prepared an overview of the five years of regulatory struggle in Romania since the regulation came into effect. By examining the value of the sanctions and the types of violations, we can identify some regulatory trends of the local practice. Statistics on fines In the first year of GDPR (i.e., May 2018–May 2019), the Romanian Data Protection Authority (“the Authority”) did not issue any fines, but only recommendations[2], even if a significant number of ex-officio investigations were performed (namely 336). This was a year of accommodation. In the following years (May 2019–end of 2021), the Authority continued to carry

News May 2023

Kinstellar strengthens its team in Turkey with the appointment of Ömer Erdoğan as Partner

Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Ömer Erdoğan has joined the firm’s Istanbul office as Partner. His joining reinforces our team’s capabilities in Turkey—particularly our expertise in the real estate, infrastructure and energy sectors as well as project finance. Ömer has 18 years of experience advising multinational and local companies on their investments in Turkey and abroad. His banking and finance expertise covers a wide range of transactions in Turkey. He has led teams acting for both lenders and sponsors on trade finance, project and acquisition financings, banking regulatory, security documentation, and secured loans and syndications. Ömer’s broad experience also covers the energy

about us

Kinstellar acts as trusted legal counsel to leading investors across Emerging Europe and Central Asia. Our reputation for quality, excellence and integrity speaks for itself.

With offices in eleven jurisdictions and over 350 local and international lawyers, we deliver consistent, joined-up legal advice and assistance across diverse regional markets – together with the know-how and experience to champion your interests while minimising exposure to risk.

Our clients include leading international and regional corporations, banks and other financial institutions, state bodies, multi-lateral institutions, and international law firms with clients that require top-quality legal counsel in our jurisdictions. We handle the most important and complex assignments for clients across diverse industries and business sectors.

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With expert local knowledge and a track record at the international level, our lawyers provide top-tier advice and client service in Emerging Europe and Central Asia.

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🎤 🇺🇦 Danylo Volkovetskyi, Managing Associate in our #Kyiv office and a member of the firm's #Dispute Resolution service line, took part in a recent Legal Forum organised by the Ukrainian Students League. 💡 Danylo was invited to speak about "Damages caused by the war and the legal methods of their recovery. The role of law students in this process". ➡️ The Forum brought together 150 leaders of student bodies from 52 leading universities in #Ukraine. 💬 According to the organising team: “During Danylo Volkovetskyi's speech, we had the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the legal aspects of the return and compensation of damages caused to Ukraine during the war. We were introduced to the mechanisms of return and compensation of losses based on the successful practices of other countries, models that we can implement in Ukraine, and the risks that may await us in the future. The Ukrainian Student League is very grateful to Danylo Volkovetskyi for participating in the event and for the discussion, which was rich with practical advice." 🙏 We thank the organisers and look forward to joining their future events! Slava Ukraini! #intheknow #ukraine #events #studentassociation

📢 🇸🇰 From 1 June 2023, the so-called reform of the “judicial map” of Slovakia enters into force, which according to its proponents should bring faster and better decision-making by the #courts and ensure better working conditions for #judges. 💡 The basic premise of the reform is the specialisation of judges and courts under five main agendas—family, civil, criminal, commercial, and administrative #justice. The reform is intended to increase the efficiency of the administration of justice and will lead to several changes.   🌟 Senior Associate Michal Hrušovský and Associate Richard Remeník have prepared a useful overview of the reform consisting of two laws. 👇🏻 #exceptionaltogether #leadinglawyers #intheknow   

Reform of the

📢 🎤 Delighted to have Victor Constantinescu, Managing Partner of our #Bucharest office, as well as Vice-President of the Canadian Business Exchange Association (CBEX), invited to a roundtable discussion at "Investing in #Romania" #television show ⏰ tonight, starting at 9:00 PM Bucharest time, on TVR Romania #International.    ➡️ 🇷🇴 Moderated by well-respected journalist Cristina Leorenţ, “Investing in Romania” is a promoter of the Romanian #business environment abroad and a trusted partner for Romanian and foreign #investors, hosted by TVR International - the international division of TVR, the preeminent #Romanian state television channel, catering to the Romanian #diaspora.   🔎 🇨🇦 This roundtable will focus on #Canadian #investments and opportunities in Romania and be conducted in Romanian. Other distinguished guests include Professor Rares Burlacu (President of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Trade), Oana-Raluca Gherghe (Consulate General of Romania in #Toronto), and Gabriel Crisan (Consulate General of Romania in #Montreal).    🌟 A Canada-born, native English speaker, Victor co-founded the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, CBEX, where he acts as a link to the Canadian business community. 👉🏻The episode can be watched live, at the link below:  https://lnkd.in/da2RUBAY   #intheknow #InvestinginRomania #thoughtleaders #community #investing

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📢 🇨🇿 Kinstellar advises Roier #crowdfunding platform on a new #investment 🌟 Kinstellar has successfully advised the founders of the Czech crowdfunding platform Roier on a new, multi-million Czech crown investment. 💡 Roier brings together investors and companies seeking #financing for their real estate projects. It enables investment in corporate loans secured by real estate property and has financed projects totalling approximately CZK 275 million in two years of market presence. The Kinstellar team was led by Kamil Blazek (Partner) and Martina Březinová (Counsel). Other team members included Michal Kníž (Managing Associate) and Jakub Šťastný (Senior Associate). #exceptionaltogether #donedeals #leadinglawyers

Kinstellar advises Roier crowdfunding platform on a new investment (Detail) - Kinstellar

📢 🇸🇰 Last week, 👏 Lukas A. Mrazik, Managing Associate and Michaela Straková, Associate from our #Bratislava office, led a #webinar on investments in the 🎮 #gaming industry from the legal perspective hosted by the Slovak Game Developers Association (SGDA). 💡 Our colleagues presented different #financing mechanisms used in the gaming industry, discussed the pros and cons of each type, and shared their previous experience in the field. The presentation, followed by a Q&A session, was part of a series of webinars organised in cooperation with the SGDA. #exceptionaltogether #intheknow ✨

📢 🇨🇿 ESG today - Opportunities and problems that can't wait! 🌍🤝   Join us for a must-attend miniconference on #ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) that will shed light on why ESG matters for today's Czech business landscape and investment practices. 🌱🏢💼   💡 Get ready to gain not only a comprehensive overview of the subject but also practical tips and guidance on effectively incorporating ESG factors into your business decisions. 📚✅   🌟 Together, we will explore successful real-life examples and provide a platform for engaging discussions with our esteemed experts and fellow participants. 🗣️🤝 Our speakers: Kamil Blazek (Kinstellar), Kateřina Bohuslavová (ČEZ), Martina Březinová (Kinstellar), Martin Dittrich (Bilfinger Tebodin), Lukáš Flídr (ČSOB Advisory), Jitka Haubova (Komerční banka), Jan Lehký (Kinstellar), Jan Pavlík (Accolade), Karla Rundtova (Kinstellar), VeroNIKA Soukupová (S-cope) and Martin Vejrazka (JLL).   During this event, we will delve into four key areas:   The upcoming ESG #reporting requirements that will affect over 1,000 companies in the Czech Republic, and indirectly many more. 📊📝 Changes in the #construction sector, renovations, and mandatory building adjustments to meet new #energy efficiency standards. We'll discuss how investors are beginning to prioritize #sustainability in real estate investments. 🏗️🌿🏢 The demands of sustainable financing and how banks approach them. 💰🌱 ESG regulations in supply chains and why it's essential to tackle impending legislation proactively and already now. 🔄📜   The conference will take place on May 30, 2023. ♻️🌍   Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve! 📈🌱 Contact Luděk Wojnar at trk=public_post_embed-text . 

📣 🇺🇦 Join us on Tuesday, May 23rd, WAU (World Arbitration Update) Panel on Ukraine"   🌍 Our colleagues, Daniel Bilak and Olexander Martinenko, will be speaking at this highly anticipated panel. Join us as we delve into the challenges faced by Ukraine, Ukrainian nationals, and international #investors in their pursuit to recover and protect assets.   ✅ This panel will address three key issues for Ukraine that might arise: the choice of #arbitration or #litigation, the funding possibilities, the enforcement process in key jurisdictions, and the prospect of recovery once favourable decisions are rendered. 👉🏻 For registration please follow the link: https://lnkd.in/dWVG-_fw   #InternationalLaw #AssetProtection #LegalClaims #Arbitration #Litigation #EnforcementProcess #Ukraine #InternationalInvestors #LawyerInsights #exceptionaltogether

🌿🌍 Join us at The Cannabis Summit in Prague! 🌍🌿   📢 🇨🇿 We are excited to announce that Jan Juroska Juroška and Tomas Cihula, Partners at Kinstellar, will be participating in The Cannabis Summit on Saturday, 27th May. 🗓 This event presents a unique opportunity for industry professionals to delve into the "Challenging times for the #Cannabis Industry in the #Czech Republic" alongside leading experts.   🎤 Jan Juroška will serve as the moderator for a panel discussion featuring prominent voices from the Czech Republic's cannabis industry. This distinguished panel will share their invaluable insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the challenges faced by this dynamic sector. 🎤 Tomáš Čihula will be participating in a subsequent panel discussion focusing on the current state of European cannabis laws.   💡 As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and collaborating with industry pioneers is paramount. This summit offers a platform to gain valuable knowledge, foster meaningful connections with like-minded professionals, and actively contribute to shaping the future of the cannabis industry in the Czech Republic.   💪🏼 Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to broaden your industry insights, expand your network, and make a positive impact in the cannabis sector.   #CannabisSummit #Prague #CzechRepublic #CannabisIndustry #IndustryInsights #CannabisOpportunity #FutureOfCannabis

📢 Natalia Kirichenko, Partner and co-head of the firm-wide IP&T service line, will be attending INTA's 2023 Annual Meeting, the global #IP event of the year. 💡 The conference, focusing on #innovation, will gather over 7,000 influential brand professionals in 📍 #Singapore from 📅16-20 May. 👉🏻 Connect with Natalia to gain insights into #CEE and #Ukraine, explore cutting-edge ideas, and reconnect with peers worldwide. With 250+ Table Topics and immersive excursions, there's something for everyone. 🔗 More information: https://lnkd.in/gJGBBFSp #intheknow #inta2023 #Singapore #intellectualproperty #networking #eventsandconferences

2023 Annual Meeting Live+ Program - International Trademark Association